Coco Gauff Triumphs Over Iga Swiatek to Reach Madrid Open Final

MADRID, May 1 (Reuters) – Coco Gauff overwhelmed defending champion Iga Swiatek 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday, securing her place in the final of the Madrid Open for the first time. The match, which lasted just 64 minutes, showcased Gauff’s dominant performance on the clay courts.

Despite having never previously beaten the Polish player on clay, the 21-year-old American broke Swiatek’s serve five times, illustrating her aggressive strategy and impressive control throughout the match. Gauff won 19 of 21 points on her first serve and recorded seven aces.

The reigning US Open champion expressed satisfaction with her play. “I was aggressive and played with margin. Maybe it wasn’t her best level today,” Gauff said during her on-court interview. She noted the difference in her performance compared to earlier matches, acknowledging her growth on clay.

Swiatek, who had won nine consecutive matches at this event and 15 of her last 16, struggled to maintain her form. The world number two committed nearly 30 unforced errors, leading to visible frustration as the match progressed. At one point, she covered her head with a towel during a changeover, wiping away tears.

In the upcoming final, Gauff will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-5 in the other semifinal. Gauff expressed eagerness to build on her recent success. “I felt great out here on the court today,” she said. “Clay is one of my better surfaces, so I felt that if I can beat her on hard, then I can beat her on clay.”

This victory is significant for Gauff, marking her third consecutive win over Swiatek after trailing their head-to-head 11-1 previously. As she aims for her 10th career singles title in the final, the tennis world is keenly watching Gauff’s rise and Swiatek’s quest to regain her winning form.